Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide with a nearly non-symptomatic course until the advanced stages of the disease. RCC can be distinguished into three subtypes: papillary (pRCC), chromophobe (chRCC) and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) representing up to 75% of all RCC cases. Detection and RCC monitoring tools are limited to standard imaging techniques, in combination with non-RCC specific morphological and biochemical read-outs. RCC subtype identification relays mainly on results of pathological examination of tumor slides. Molecular, clinically applicable and ideally non-invasive tools aiding RCC management are still non-existent, although molecular characterization of RCC is relatively advanced. Hence, many research efforts concentrate on the identification of molecular markers that will assist with RCC sub-classification and monitoring. Due to stability and tissue-specificity miRNAs are promising candidates for such biomarkers. Here, we performed a meta-analysis study, utilized seven NGS and seven microarray RCC studies in order to identify subtype-specific expression of miRNAs. We concentrated on potentially oncocytoma-specific miRNAs (miRNA-424-5p, miRNA-146b-5p, miRNA-183-5p, miRNA-218-5p), pRCC-specific (miRNA-127-3p, miRNA-139-5p) and ccRCC-specific miRNAs (miRNA-200c-3p, miRNA-362-5p, miRNA-363-3p and miRNA-204-5p, 21-5p, miRNA-224-5p, miRNA-155-5p, miRNA-210-3p) and validated their expression in an independent sample set. Additionally, we found ccRCC-specific miRNAs to be differentially expressed in ccRCC tumor according to Fuhrman grades and identified alterations in their isoform composition in tumor tissue. Our results revealed that changes in the expression of selected miRNA might be potentially utilized as a tool aiding ccRCC subclass discrimination and we propose a miRNA panel aiding RCC subtype distinction.

The optimal sequence of chemoradiotherapy with immunotherapy is still not established. The patient’s immune status may play a role in determining this order. We aim to determine the kinetics of a multi-potential haemopoietic factor FMS-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt-3L) during chemoradiotherapy. Our pilot, a single arm prospective study, enrolled patients with rectal cancer who qualified for neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Blood samples for Flt-3L were collected before and every second week of chemoradiotherapy for a complete blood count every week. The kinetics of Flt-3L were assessed using Friedman’s ANOVA. A multiple factor analysis (MFA) was performed to find relevant factors affecting levels of serum Flt-3L during chemoradiotherapy. FactoMineR and factoextra R packages were used for analysis. In the 33 patients enrolled, the level of Flt-3L increased from the second week and remained elevated until the end of treatment (p < 0.01). All patients experienced Grade ≥2 lymphopenia with a nadir detected mostly in the 5/6th week. MFA revealed the spatial partitioning of patients among the first and second dimensions (explained by 38.49% and 23.14% variance). The distribution along these dimensions represents the magnitude of early changes of Flt-3L. Patients with the lowest values of Flt-3L change showed the highest lymphocyte nadirs and lowest dose/volume parameters of active bone marrow. Our hypothesis-generating study supports the concept of early initiation of immuno-therapy when the concentration of Flt-3L is high and no lymphopenia has yet occurred.

The aim of the present study was to identify the reasons behind the delayed diagnosis of testicular cancer in a group of Polish males diagnosed with this malignancy in 2015–2016. The study included data from 72 patients aged between 18 and 69 years. Based on the median time elapsed to the testicular cancer diagnosis, the study patients were divided into the timely diagnosis group (diagnosis within 10 weeks from initial manifestation, n = 40) and the delayed diagnosis group (diagnosis > 10 weeks from initial manifestation, n = 32). Diagnosis of testicular cancer > 10 weeks after its initial manifestation was associated with less favorable survival (5-year overall survival: 78.1% [95% CI: 59.5–88.9%] vs. 92.5% [95% CI: 78.5–97.5%], p = 0.087). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified two independent predictors of the delayed diagnosis, age > 33 years (OR = 6.65, p = 0.020) and residence in the countryside (OR = 7.21, p = 0.012), with another two parameters, the lack of a regular intimate partner (OR = 3.32, p = 0.098) and the feeling of shame (OR = 8.13, p = 0.056), being at the verge of statistical significance. All the factors mentioned above should be considered during planning social campaigns aimed at the early detection of testicular malignancies, along with improving the quality and trustfulness of Internet-based information resources.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is a major public health issue, as the second most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men. Many PCa cases are indolent and pose minimal risk, making active surveillance a suitable management approach. However, clinically significant prostate carcinoma (csPCa) can lead to serious health issues, including progression, metastasis, and death. Differentiating between insignificant prostate cancer (inPCa) and csPCa is crucial for determining appropriate treatment. Diagnosis of PCa primarily involves trans-perineal and transrectal systematic biopsies. Systematic transrectal prostate biopsy, which typically collects 10–12 tissue samples, is a standard method, but it can miss csPCa and is associated with some complications. Recent advancements, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-targeted biopsies, have been suggested to improve risk stratification and reduce overtreatment of inPCa and undertreatment of csPCa, thereby enhancing patient quality of life and treatment outcomes. Guided biopsies are increasingly recommended for their ability to better detect high-risk cancers while reducing identification of low-risk cases. MRI-targeted biopsies, especially when used as an initial biopsy in biopsy-naïve patients and those under active surveillance, have become more common. Utilization of MRI-TB alone can decrease septic complications; however, the combining of targeted biopsies with perilesional sampling is recommended for optimal detection of csPCa. Future advancements in imaging and biopsy techniques, including AI-augmented lesion detection and robotic-assisted sampling, promise to further improve the accuracy and effectiveness of PCa detection.

Introduction: Epidemiological data indicate an increased incidence of testicular cancer (TC), making it the most common malignant tumor in men from aged 15–45. Oncological and urological associations recommend that men with specific TC risk factors should regularly perform a testicular self-exam (TSE). The aim of the study was to discover the attitudes among Polish males regarding TSE and factors (environmental, social, educational) that affect intention to perform TSE. Methods: An original survey containing 21 questions was used to conduct a study among the Polish branch of VW (Volkswagen Poland) employees. Results: A total of 522 fully completed questionnaires were collected. The mean age of the surveyed respondents was 32 years. Information about TC and how to perform TSE was obtained by 34.4% (n = 185) of the men. It was shown that the following factors increase men’s intention to perform TSE: TC in their family member (p < 0.05; HR = 5.9; 95% CI: 1.5–23.0), GP’s(General Practitioner) recommendations (p < 0.001; HR = 6.8; 95% CI: 3.2–14.3), concern expressed by their partner (p < 0.001; HR = 3.3; 95% CI: 2.1–5.3), and social campaigns (p < 0.001; HR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.5–4.6). Conclusions: Approximately half of young polish males do not perform TSE. Access to information on TC prevention is limited. Further action is needed to improve men’s awareness of TC and TSE.

Combining systematic biopsy (SB) with targeted biopsy (TB) in the case of a positive result from multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is a matter of debate. The Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PIRADS) score of 5 indicates the highest probability of clinically significant prostate cancer (csPC) detection in TB. Potentially, omitting SB in the case of PIRADS 5 may have a marginal impact on the csPC detection rate. The aim of this study was to determine whether SB can be avoided in the case of PIRADS 5 and to identify potential factors allowing for performing TB only. This cohort study involved n = 225 patients with PIRADS 5 on mpMRI (PIRADS 2.0/2.1) who underwent transperineal or transrectal combined biopsy (CB). CsPC was diagnosed in 51.6% (n = 116/225) of cases. TB and SB resulted in the detection of csPC in 48% (n = 108/225) and 20.4% (n = 46/225) of cases, respectively (TB vs. SB, p < 0.001). When the TB was positive, SB detected csPC in n = 38 of the cases (38/108 = 35%). SB added to TB significantly improved csPC detection in 6.9% of cases in absolute terms (n = 8/116) (TB vs. CB, p = 0.008). The multivariate regression model proved that the significant predictors of csPC detection via SB were the densities of the prostate-specific antigen—PSAD > 0.17 ng/mL² (OR = 4.038, 95%CI: 1.568–10.398); primary biopsy setting (OR = 2.818, 95%CI: 1.334–5.952); and abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) (OR = 2.746, 95%CI: 1.328–5.678). In a primary biopsy setting (n = 103), SB detected 10% (n = 6/60) of the additional cases of csPC (p = 0.031), while in a repeat biopsy setting (n = 122), SB detected 3.5% (n = 2/56) of the additional cases of csPC (p = 0.5). In the case of PSAD > 0.17 ng/mL² (n = 151), SB detected 7.4% (n = 7/95) of additional cases of csPC (p = 0.016), while in the case of PSAD < 0.17 ng/mL² (n = 74), SB detected 4.8% (n = 1/21) of the additional cases of csPC (p = 1.0). The omission of SB had an impact on the csPC diagnosis rate in patients with PIRADS 5 score lesions. Patients who have already undergone prostate biopsy and those with low PSAD are at a lower risk of missing csPC when SB is avoided. However, performing TB only may result in missing other csPC foci located outside the index lesion, which can alter treatment decisions.